The outbreak of coronavirus 2019, also known as COVID-19, has had a ripple effect across the world. What started as a massive viral outbreak in Wuhan, China has now spread across the globe and has reached the status of a pandemic. Federal, state and local governments have taken various measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 including mandated self-quarantines and the temporary closure of many “non-essential” businesses. Cities that are normally buzzing with activity 24/7 have fallen silent. The whole world seems to have come to a hush.
The response to this pandemic is unprecedented. Nearly everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in one way or another. We are all uncertain of what the future may hold, and while we may not be able to control the present situation, we can control our response to it. One fact that I find comforting is the fact that we are all in this together. You might be cooped up in your house all alone, but so is your neighbor. What can we do to show a little love in these trying times and extend a helping hand (theoretically, of course) to those who are going to need it most?
Small businesses are going to be some of the most hard-hit right now. So I’d like to discuss 8 different ways you can support the small businesses that make the places we love so unique and special.
Hashiri Sushi in San Francisco is one of the Michelin-starred restaurants offering take-out during the COVID-19 outbreak.
1. Order take-out
Your favorite local café or restaurant might not be open for dine-in meals right now, but they might be offering take-out. And while they might not normally offer to-go meals or services, many small businesses are doing whatever they can to try and stay alive during these trying times. Even Michelin-starred restaurants in the Bay Area are offering take-out!
Rather than turning to major chains for grab-and-go meals, consider ordering directly from your favorite local restaurant. Visit their website, Facebook page, or give them a call to see what your options might be. Some might even be offering delivery. If not, you can always check what local businesses are on DoorDash, UberEats and other food-delivery apps.
Don’t forget take-out coffee! You could also consider buying bags of coffee for use at home.
2. Buy groceries at your local farmer’s market
Believe it or not, many farmers markets around the nation are still open. Many are having to make modifications to comply with social-distancing standards, but are indeed still open for business. For example, the weekly Baton Rouge Farmers Market is hosting a “drive-thru” farmers market this week! Shoppers can find a list of growers, vendors, products offered and ways to pre-order here.
Buying local produce is good for you, good for the environment, and good for your local community! It’s a win-win-win. Visit the website of your local farmers market to determine whether or not they are open and how they are handling the situation.
3. Buy directly from small online shops
With the advent of Amazon, we can now purchase everything we need to run our daily lives without even leaving the couch. But what if we decided to make the switch from Amazon to small online shops? Explore the possibility of ordering things like handmade soap and other bath products from local vendors in your area who sell these items. If you are unsure of how to find a local store who offers these products, open GoogleMaps, type in “soap” and browse through the search results. Results may vary depending on where you live, but that’s how I found Goods That Matter in New Orleans, LA and Source Zero in San Jose, CA.
Owners of Solminer Wine. Image via Wander and Wine
You might find yourself with ample time to do some cooking during quarantine, so consider stocking up on herbs and spices. Try out Red Stick Spice Company if you’re in the Baton Rouge area.
If you’re needing a booze fix, you could contact your local craft brewery to see if they are able to sell you beer to-go. Many breweries offer growler refills for a discounted price. If there’s a winery you love, consider ordering a few bottles direct. Solminer Wine out of Los Olivos, CA is one of my absolute favorite wines on the planet. Family-owned, organic, and biodynamic, every wine from this company is to-die-for. They’re offering free shipping right now as well!
4. Buy gifts, art, etc. from small stores on Etsy
Etsy is a website with thousands of small-businesses and creative entrepreneurs offering everything from handmade pottery to vintage clothing. As their website states, “If it’s handcrafted, vintage, custom, or unique, it’s on Etsy.”
This is a great place to get your shopping fix, decorate your home with travel and culture-inspired decor, or find a really special gift for someone while also supporting a small business. Many of these people might even run their business out of their garage or living room. With thousands of products, you’re sure to find something you love, and can feel good about buying.
The Table is one of my favorite restaurants in San Jose, CA and I can’t wait to visit when they reopen. Image source.
5. Buy gift cards to your favorite small businesses
A great way to support your favorite local business is by purchasing a gift card. Even if the business is temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, they will receive the money immediately and you’ll be able to redeem your gift card in the future. You’ll also be sending an encouraging message that you support your local business and plan to visit them when they reopen.
If your local café, restaurant or shop doesn’t already offer gift cards, you can invite them to sign up for online gift cards through Kabbage. "Through Kabbage Payments™, any business can sign up to sell gift certificates online, and anyone can purchase them to support participating small businesses.” Find a link to their website here.
Magpie Cafe in Baton Rouge, LA will always be my favorite coffee shop on the planet. My go-to whenever I find myself in BR!
6. Share your favorite small shops on social media
Spread the word!
If you have a go-to place for coffee, a place you love to get your hair done, a favorite bakery, or pet groomer, share it with your friends on social media. Write a Yelp or TripAdvisor review and share what you love about that business and what they’re doing right.
Encourage members of your community to frequent small businesses once this storm passes. Inspire them to trade that daily cup of Starbucks for a cup of coffee from a locally-owned café you know and love. Furthermore, if you follow that small café on social media and you see that they’re still serving take-away coffee, let others know! People might not even be hankering for a cup of joe, but they might jump at the chance to support a local business.
7. Raise funds on GoFundMe
Right now, you can start a fundraiser for a small business and GoFundMe will match the funds raised up to $500. This is part of GoFundMe’s Small Business Relief Initiative, designed to help small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Share your fundraiser on social media and encourage friends and others to donate to your most beloved small businesses.
8. Be more conscious of where you choose to spend your money.
Especially now, it might seem easiest to buy any and everything you need on Amazon. But now is when small businesses need your support the most. Make an effort to buy as many products as possible from a small business. Whether that means shopping at a family-owned grocery store, buying local produce from a farmers market, ordering shampoo online from a boutique retailer, or drinking coffee from a hip coffee shop, these little things make a big difference.
Small businesses are what make our communities our communities, and they are what help distinguish one city from the next. The tiny store that sells hand-painted and vintage tea cups is part of what makes Paris Paris. The “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant with the best vegetable tagine you’ve ever tasted is part of what makes Marrakesh Marrakesh. One-of-a-kind businesses you can’t find anywhere else are part of what make so many destinations around the world what they are today. These places are what give a place character and charm, and they are worth preserving.
If you have any additional ideas about how to support small businesses, let us know in the comments below!
As a lover of travel and adventure, Madeline was eager to join the Astrid Solo Travel Advisor team in 2018. Madeline works with the AstridTravel team to create new content for astridtravel.com, manage our marketing strategy, as well as coordinate and facilitate AstridTravel Club Trips. She is passionate about trying new things, having a curious mind and seeking joy wherever she goes. To read more about her and each one of our Solo Travel Advisors, head over to the About page!
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